Water Collection and Storage: The best way to gather water is in a downspout barrel that collects rainwater. Obtaining water this way is safer than collection from a pond or stream since they have a much greater chance of contamination. It is also a good point to note that many survivalist are changing to metal roofing as its weatherproof,fireproof, and has a smooth surface that is less likely to contaminate your water supply.

WATER PURIFICATION

1) Clear water is a sign of pure water. Always drain long-standing pipes for 30 seconds to one minute before drinking!

2) 1 Gallon water is disinfected by 8-16 drops of regular household bleach (visually about 1/4 of a teaspoon) – double that for cloudy water. Shake and let stand 30 minutes. One teaspoon will disinfect 5 gallons. Immediately after treating, water must initially have a slight smell of chlorine. If it does not – repeat the process.

3) Household bleach is relatively harmless. The smell or �waft� of chlorine is not bad: it indicates that water is treated and germ free. Once treated and disinfected, the chlorine smell will go away in a few days.

4) Regularly used water from large tanks may be treated once or twice a month with 1 Oz. bleach per 200 gallons or 5 Oz. bleach per 1000 gallons.

6) Bleach effectively kills bacteria and viruses, stops smells and then breaks down. It’s effective germ killing alkaline property is completely neutralized very quickly. It does not stay chemically active in tanks for more than a few days. Most germs require sunlight to grow. Store water in the dark.

7) If water is relatively clear: but has a noticeable smell of chlorine: it is drinkable, disinfected, and harmless. Humans need 2 quarts per day.

Food Storage:

Food being a very important commodity in any disaster should be carefully maintained and in good supply. Having dozens of cans of spoiled food will not do you much good in a disaster so try to be diligent in disposing of out of date food. Salt is very important to keep a healthy supply of it has literally dozens of purposes first and foremost food preservation. I would recommend keeping several cases of both iodised and non-iodised salt on hand. Use the iodised for food preparation and the rest for attracting game, preserving meats, and even use it to relieve the swelling and pain of a bee sting. So get several times more salt than you think you’ll need.

Now that we have plenty of salt lets discuss dry foods such as, beans, rice, and pasta. Rice should be high up on your list as it has a pretty good shelf life of up to 10 years. I would suggest getting around 100 pounds for a family of 4, since this should last around a year if combined with other food stuffs.

I know this sounds like a lot but it is better safe than sorry. I would also recommend keeping a similar supply of oats and pasta as they store for long periods of time and take up relatively small amounts of space for the amount of food they produce. You can make flour from whole wheat that will last years longer than regular flour. You just need to buy whole grain wheat and grind it into flour yourself.

I recommend keeping a supply of olive oil (frozen, in plastic bottles it will last about 4 years), mayonnaise, canned butter, and peanut butter. These products should be date checked at least once a year and disposed of when spoiled. I would suggest donating items a few months before going out of date to ensure they get used. Hey, it will make you feel better to know you didn’t waste the money and help feed someone in need. When considering what type of milk to buy I would suggest purchasing nonfat nitrogen packed as it has the longest shelf life of up to 5 years. It is recommended to keep to have at least a case of each canned fruit, vegetables, and meat per person per year. More if you do not live close to where you can hunt and fish to replenish supply. Sugar is another important commodity that should be stored in similar quantity as salt. It is useful for many reasons besides sweetening your tea.

Some other useful items are plastic bags and containers. For trash bags I would suggest “Husky” brand yard bags for their durability and price. Another item of importance is aluminum foil as it will serve various purposes both in food storage and prep. Lastly, don’t forget spices,vinegar,baking soda, and yeast.

Pots and Pans: These items may seem at first self-explanatory, but they will serve many purposes during your ordeal. I would suggest you use cast iron if possible for cooking as they are nearly indestructible. I would get several sizes including a dutch oven. It is great for cooking on a stove or outdoors in a fire pit. Dont forget to have a really large stewpot as you will need it to boil water for drinking, bathing, laundry, and dishwashing. Dont forget to have butchering and skinning tools that you might need if your planning on hunting game.

Personal check list: Have each family member make a person checklist of items that they will need such as, spare glasses, medications, and necessary hygiene products. Lastly, don’t forget “Comfort” items to help get through high stress times. (Books, games, CDs, chocolates, etc.)

Needed First Aid and Surgical Equipment: It is very possible that you and your family will be cut off from medical facilities and professionals. So it will be important for you to have a well stocked first aid kit. Note, I do not mean one of those little crappy ones from Wal-Mart with 100 band aids and a few packs of generic antibiotic ointment. In your kit you should have at the minimum 100 band aids of various sizes per person as well as several rolls of gauze. Know that there will be a need at some point to treat burns make sure you have plenty of burn ointment on hand. It is also a good idea to put together a minor surgical kit for dental procedures and other life threatening injuries. Remember to include as many strong painkillers and tubes of dental ointment as you can. Dont forget to include a few spools of heavy-duty thread and several small gauge sewing needles. Buy a full minor surgery outfit you can find them online through several distributors. It may come in handy and its better to be prepared for the worst than find out you need it later. Lastly, I would recommend you include some crazy glue. its great for closing small cuts after they have been disinfected. They have similar products available at the local drugstore made for this purpose with disinfectant already inside.

Hygiene and Sanitary Supplies: Since it is doubtful you will have running water you will need to make some sort of outhouse( I know yuck) but it will be necessary. Powdered lime is a great choice for managing the smell and keeping down bacteria. Remember to have it well away from any water sources you might be using. We don’t want that getting into your drinking water. You will also want to have a good supply of soaps( hand, dish, and laundry), disinfectants, shampoo, toothpaste,sunscreen, and feminine products.

Lighting and Power: It will be a good idea to have several crank rechargeable lights on hand. I have many myself that also have a solar charging feature so try to look for those they come in handy. You will want to be careful when using lights at night since it will call attention to you. Make sure you have black out screens or curtains to give the impression f vacancy. People without provisions and equipment will be looking for those that do in order to acquire them. For power I would suggest having a solar unit but as so few of us (me included) have this a second choice would be a diesel fueled generator. Even if you do not use a diesel generator I would suggest getting the largest diesel tank you can afford to use for farming equipment, chain saws, and vehicles. It will be easier to find after a disaster. Dont forget to have at least a few large fire extinguishers readily available in case of a mishap.

Survival Clothing and Gear: Try to purchase earth tones clothing that will allow you to disappear into the brush should you come into contact with less than savory individuals. Include cold/foul weather gear for each member of your household. Synthetic double-bag (modular) sleeping bags for each person just in case you need to leave your home for the outdoors. Most importantly, get to know your neighbors this can not be stressed enough. They will either be you chief source of competition or your lifesaver in a disaster. Mark the names of each person you know well on a map so that you can reference it later in bartering situations.

Security: It will be important to have at least a few guns safely stored away will a good stock of ammunition. I know a lot of you abhor the use of guns, but in many disaster situations they will come in handy. They are good for hunting as well so make sure you buy extra ammo accordingly. It couldn’t hurt to stop by your local hunting supply and ask what the most popular brands of shot are. These will be worth a great deal in a disaster and can be used for bartering.

Necessary Tools: There are many tools you want to have on hand that you might not have thought of. Most of you will have assumed you would need tools for working on vehicles and equipment. It will also be good to have tools for gardening, construction, and wood working. Now that you have the tools you need make a list of items that you use regularly such as work gloves, nails, duct tape, twine, and glue.

Well now that you can’t fit into your attic or park your car in the garage your ready for a disaster or a nap. It isn’t necessary to look at any single survival list as complete. I would suggest looking at a few and making your own to fit your own needs.

10 Things That You Will Need when an Emergency Strikes

Many people do not know what they need in order to survive after a natural disaster. Most assume that they will just go down to the store and be given what they need. Other assume their church will get them through. Sadly, as seen with Katrina that will not be the case. It will be up to you to provide what you need that is why it is so important that you are prepared. Remember, nobody is going to prepare for you.

The following is a list of items that you will want to make sure that you and your family have in case you are faced with an emergency.

#1) Storable Food

Canned food is a priority when a disaster strikes as you will not be able to just run to your nearest grocery store to get what you want. In many cases you will be confined to your home for extended periods of time. You are going to need food that doesn’t require refrigeration as electricity will be scarce or non-existent. Even if you plan to growing your own food it is best to have a substantial amount of storable food put away.

#2) Clean Water

Most people could make it for a number of weeks without food, but without water you will die in a matter of days. You and your family are going to need clean water. Is there an abundant supply of water near your home? Will you be able to boil water if you need to? Without clean water you just are not going to survive for long.

#3) Shelter

In many natural disasters the possibility of losing your home is likely. What would you do if you lost your home or you were forced from your home? You and your family will need a safe warm place to sleep. Since, it is likely electricity will be unavailable make sure you have plenty of firewood on hand to keep you warm. In addition, always make sure you have a backup plan if you have to leave where you are at. Do you have family you can move in with if necessary? Do you have a tent that you could set up in the woods? If not take a look at the shelters v.s bunkers category for instructions on building an emergency shelter. Make sure you have a utility knife and tools needed to build your shelter.

#4) Warm Clothing

This is especially important if you live in a colder climate. You are your family need to prepare as if you would not be able to depend on the power company. Keep a store of clothing as if you would have to make it without heat if necessary. Always make sure to have plenty of blankets as well. Already there have been recent news stories this winter of people freezing to death inside their own homes after having their heat turned off. Don’t let that be you.

#5) Communication

This is especially important if you live in an isolated area. Always have a way to communicate with the outside world. Whether it is an emergency cell phone or something else, if you are able to call an ambulance in a timely manner it might save your life. Walkie-talkies are another way to communicate should phone service be unavailable. You can set up a local disaster network among you neighbors in order to give and receive assistance. It is those who are willing to work together that will have the best chance of making it.

#6) Lighters Or Matches

There may come a day when you need to start a fire in order to cook food or to boil water or to stay warm. When that day comes, do you really want to try rubbing sticks together to start a fire? Of course not. Now is the time to put away a supply of lighters or matches so that you will be prepared when you really need them. I would also recommend keeping a supply of steel wool and 9 volt batteries as you can immediately start a fire by putting the battery to the steel wool.

#7) Comfortable Shoes

This is an item that not a lot of people think of when it comes to survival. But what if you find yourself in an emergency situation where you are not able to use your car? What if you find yourself out in the wilderness far from the nearest town? Especially if you are headed out to a wilderness area, make certain to have some shoes on hand that will be comfortable.

#8) Flashlight And Plenty Of Extra Batteries

Just think about what happens when the power goes out now. What quickly becomes one of the most important items? A flashlight. Without a flashlight, you won’t be able to do much of anything after the sun goes down. Also, make sure you have plenty of extra batteries, because in a prolonged crisis your flashlight will be of little help without batteries.

#9) A Battery-Powered Radio

In a crisis situation, you will want to know what is going on in the world around you. A battery-powered radio can be a great source of information. You can even get a wind-up radio in some stores that doesn’t require batteries at all. Now, you can certainly survive without a radio, but you are your family will feel much better if you have some way of keeping track of what is going on out there.

#10) Sanitation Supplies And A First Aid Kit

Keeping a good emergency kit on hand will be very important to your survival. Untreated wounds will weaken if not outright kill you in an emergency situation where medical assistance might be scarce. In addition, what would you do without toilet paper or soap? I am sure you get the idea. Things can get unsanitary fast sp make sure that you and your family have plenty of supplies on hand.

Since water is the most important item to have, (you die within days without it) I thought that it would be a good idea to compile some good information on precedures that will be beneficial to your survival.

Rainwater collected in clean containers or in plants is usually safe for drinking. However, purify water from lakes, ponds, swamps, springs, or streams, especially the water near human settlements or in the tropics. When possible, purify all water you got from vegetation or from the ground by using iodine or chlorine, or by boiling. Purify water by– •Using water purification tablets. (Follow the directions provided.) •Placing 5 drops of 2 percent tincture of iodine in a canteen full of clear water. If the canteen is full of cloudy or cold water, use 10 drops. (Let the canteen of water stand for 30 minutes before drinking.) •Boiling water for 1 minute at sea level, adding 1 minute for each additional 300 meters above sea level, or boil for 10 minutes no matter where you are. By drinking nonpotable water you may contract diseases or swallow organisms that can harm you.

•Cholera- an acute infectious disease characterized by watery diarrhea that is caused by the bacterium Vibrio cholerae

•Typhoid – An acute, highly infectious disease caused by a bacillus (Salmonella typhi) transmitted chiefly by contaminated food or water and characterized by high fever, headache, coughing, intestinal hemorrhaging, and rose-colored spots on the skin.

Note: You may be susceptible to these diseases regardless of inoculations.

•Flukes-Stagnant, polluted water–especially in tropical areas–often contains blood flukes. If you swallow flukes, they will bore into the bloodstream, live as parasites, and cause disease.

•Leeches- If you swallow a leech, it can hook onto the throat passage or inside the nose. It will suck blood, create a wound, and move to another area. Each bleeding wound may become infected.

How to Make an Improvised Charcoal Water Filter:

Obtain FRESH charcoal that has cooled completely. To create a good supply of charcoal, create a camp fire and when you have a good coal bed, bank your fire by covering it with dirt or ash and come back in a day or two. Uncover the charcoal and allow to cool completely before removing.

Crush your charcoal into small bits, from powder up to the size of aquarium gravel.

Obtain or fashion a cylindrical container. Taller is better than wider. In the photos I’m using a 2-liter soda bottle with the end cut off.

Fill the smaller opening with tightly packed grass or a piece of fabric (if both ends are the same diameter choose either one) to prevent the charcoal from falling out or running through with the water. If you are using a bottle that still has its cap, poke a small hole in the cap before placing your fabric or grass.

Pack the crushed charcoal into the container TIGHTLY. The idea here is to create as fine a matrix as possible for the water to DRIP through slowly, thus trapping more sediment and “wee beasties”. If the water runs rather than drips through the filter, you need to pack your charcoal tighter. You should have enough crushed charcoal to fill your cylinder up about halfway.

It is a good idea to place a couple of inches of packed-down grass or sand, or another piece of cloth on top of the charcoal to prevent it from becoming displaced when you add your water.

Place your filter atop a catch-container for your water. In the photo we are using a glass jar so you can see the changes easily, but in a wilderness situation it is a good idea to filter directly into the pot you are going to boil the water in rather than the one you will be drinking from (in the event they are not one in the same).

Slowly pour the untreated water into your filter (being careful not to displace your sand) filling the remainder of your cylinder with water and allowing it to slowly percolate through. Remember, the water should DRIP SLOWLY out the bottom of your filter.

After all of the water has run through the filter, pour it back through as many times as needed to make it clear. I usually run it through at least two, preferably three, times.

Once the desired clarity has been achieved, bring the water to a boil for a few minutes in order to make sure it is completely sterilized. Remember, boiling is the only way to ensure safety from pathogens. (Taste can be further improved by adding a small lump of charcoal to the boiling water.) Enjoy your clean water!